02 January,2016 12:58 PM IST | | Agencies
The filmmaker apologised for his 'white slavers' comment and used a 'very inappropriate analogy'
George Lucas has apologised for criticising Disney's handling of Star Wars and saying he had sold his characters to 'white slavers' in a recent interview.
In a statement issued Thursday, Lucas says he misspoke and used a 'very inappropriate analogy.' It was not clear what the Star Wars creator meant by the 'white slavers' comment and it sparked ire when the interview was posted online last week. "I rarely go out with statements to clarify my feelings but I feel it is important to make it clear that I am thrilled that Disney has the franchise and is moving it in such exciting directions," said Lucas in his statement.
He sold his company, Lucasfilm, to the Walt Disney Co in 2012 for $4.06 billion, and the studio charged ahead in developing Star Wars: The Force Awakens with director JJ Abrams and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.
Lucas discussed his decision to stay out of the new instalments in an interview and criticised Disney's retro, fan-centric approach to The Force Awakens. "I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians of Star Wars because of my great respect for the company and Bob Iger's leadership. Disney is doing an incredible job of taking care of and expanding the franchise," he said.
